In the Spring of 1988, Bishop William D. Keeler formed a new parish to accommodate the rapid growth in Silver Spring Township and named Reverend James R. O’Brien as the founding pastor. That same year, Mother Katharine Drexel was beatified by Pope John Paul, II. At Bishop Keeler’s request, the Holy Father gave his permission to name the Parish in Silver Spring Township as the first parish in the world to be named in her honor. Eighteen years later, on October 1, 2000, Blessed Katharine Drexel was canonized and the church’s name changed to Saint Katharine Drexel.

The Saint Katharine Drexel Parish Family, guided by the Holy Spirit, commits itself to reaching out and sharing with all people the love and service modeled by our patroness, with the Eucharist as our source of strength. Through prayer and action, we will serve God, our Lord and Savior, and our community, exhibiting a special concern for the poor, oppressed and marginalized of our society, especially those among the African-American & Native-American peoples.

Sunday, August 2, 2015 – A Message from Father Ken

Dear Friends in Christ,

This weekend, we continue in depth the “Bread of Life” Discourse and teaching from Jesus. We are reflecting on the Gospel of St. John, chapter 6!

The following are worthy of reflection and prayer –

Believing in Jesus as the Bread from Heaven

The words and teachings of Jesus as the Bread of Life

The flesh and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist and

The reactions of the disciples and the Church through time!

May Jesus the Bread of Life, nourish and nurture us as disciples.

Peace and blessings in this summer time of rest and relaxation.

May the Lord bless you and hold you and yours in the palm of His hand!

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God's plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen.